Mehr-o-Mah (مہر و ماہ) -
The sun and the moon
A collection of short stories filled with love, spice, drama and a roller coaster of emotions and of course, a huge part of my imagination.
(The second generation of Ahd-e-Vafa)...
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*****
One month later
"Zamurad, kab aane ka irada hai? 5 mahine ho gaye hai jab aakhri baar dekha tha tumhe."
Aashna's voice held a motherly longing as she spoke to her son on the phone. Her heart ached to see him safe and sound and knowing that he was out there, facing the gruesome reality of the world, she couldn't help but let sadness reign over her heart.
"Mama, kitni baar kaha hai aise roya na kare."
"I wasn't crying!"
She opposed with a weak tone and could only hear her son snicker in sarcasm on the other side.
"Zyada smart na bano mere saath aur jaldi batao kab aaoge."
She didn't leave room for a 'no' but the stubbornness of her son made her doubt the possibilities of the answer being in her favour.
"Kab aaoge matlab? Mama, open the door first!"
Aashna almost lost her balance on hearing her son's words and immediately raced to the door which was closed due to the heavy winds that were blowing outside.
A relief filled sob escaped her lips as she saw her son standing in front of her, safe and sound. She hugged him tight, crying in her son's arms and her heart sending it's gratitude to the Lord. A wide smile rested on Zamurad's lips as he embraced his mother's affection like a soil that had been nurtured after ages.
"I missed you too, mama."
Zamurad kissed his mother's head in response to which Aashna just hugged him tight. The latter was crying buckets and now Zamurad found it a little too emotional. This was something he should have gotten sued to since the day he was enrolled in the army but everytime he saw his mother crying like this, his heart ached just like the first.
"Mama, bas kare. Allah ke karam se I am all safe and healthy. Please calm down."
"A-alhumdulillah."
Aashna murmured and pulled away from her son. Zamurad bent down a little and Aashna placed a kiss on her son's forehead, muttering duas and 'alhumdulillah'.
"Bhai!"
A surprised, happy and high pitched scream made Zamurad wince slightly and he narrowed his eyes playfully at his sister who was smiling a megawatt smile. His heart soared at her care while Azra hugged him tight. She suppressed her sob since she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of her missing him but Zamurad knew her better.
"Awe, ab bol bhi do that you missed me."
He teased her lightly and Azra just poked her tongue at him.
"Puh-lease, all are delusions, nothing else."
Zamurad just shook his head and walked into the house. The feeling of finally being in his humble abode hugged him tight. The very air inside calmed him in ways unsaid as he relished the feeling. Being away from home for many months does this to a person but Zamurad never complained. He felt like the defiant child who had roamed around the whole town at day but in the end, came home to his mother with a not-so sorry look and intentions of doing the same the next day.
